Why Does My Throat Burn After Vaping?
In the pursuit of the very best vaping experience possible, most vapers will invest in quality vape devices and use a range of different vape juices.
But things don’t always go as planned as there are many variables that influence the quality of a vaping session.
Making a mistake in how you use your device can lead to the vape tasting awful, burning out too quickly or otherwise being a generally disappointing experience.
One of the common problems among new users is the “vape burning throat” sensation.
Although often not painful, it certainly can be irritating and will easily ruin an otherwise satisfying vape.
We are going to help you understand why exactly vape burning throat happens and recommend a few potential solutions to this common issue.
First of all though, let’s understand precisely what a “throat hit” is and how it plays a major part in any vaping experience.
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What Is A Throat Hit?
The throat hit from a vaping device is the feeling you get at the back of your throat as you inhale.
Cigarette smokers also experience a throat hit, and the sensation can even be harsher when smoking a cigar.
This is due to the higher concentration of nicotine in a cigar, a principle that carries over to e-liquids as well.
The sensation of a strong throat hit during vaping is a comparable to that experienced from a traditional cigarette, so it certainly can be irritating to the throat.
If you are not a smoker or are not used to this kind of sensation, it can cause you to cough and will eventually result in a sore throat.
If you took a weaker or gentler hit, one that feels smooth at the back of your throat and is not irritating as you inhale, this would be much less likely to cause a cough.
This kind of approach is ideal for those who are new to vaping, though it isn’t just limited to beginners .
Plenty of vapers enjoy this smoother kind of hit over something harsher. A lack of throat hit is also the preferred experience for many vapers who perform vape tricks.
You can customise the throat hit of your vaping to fit your preference, adjusting either the e-liquid you use or the wattage of your device to help fine-tune your experience.
It is important to know how to tweak your throat hit to suit your level of experience, as this gives you the best chance of avoiding a burning throat.
Causes Of Vape Burning Throat
Several factors can cause a burning sensation when vaping.
These are some of the most common ones:
Low-Quality Devices
It is important to know how vaping devices work and how to choose the right device for your needs.
A low-quality device may not allow you to adjust wattage levels and may vaporise your e-liquid at a very high temperature, making the vapour extremely hot and leaving you with a sore throat.
Vaping at a very high wattage, especially if you are new to vaping, will often leave you with a burning sensation in your throat when you vape.
Use a device from a trusted brand that will allow you to adjust the wattage and vape at a setting that you are most comfortable with.
It would be best if you also considered using a device with a wider drip-tip as smaller tips will narrow the airflow, concentrating the vapour into a smaller area and leading to a harsher throat hit.
Many vaping devices are modular and their- drip-tips can easily be swapped out for wider designs.
Propylene Glycol (PG) Concentration
Propylene glycol is one of the main ingredients in e-liquids. It is added to e-liquids in order to provide a strong throat hit, similar to cigarette smoking, as well as being one of the primary carrier agents for an e-liquid.
Propylene glycol absorbs moisture from the mouth and throat membranes. Though it is very safe for consumption, it is known to cause some throat irritation when used in high concentration.
To avoid a burning throat feeling when vaping, use an e-liquid with a lower PG and a higher Vegetable Glycerin (VG) content.
It would be best if you also remembered to stay hydrated when vaping and make sure to drink plenty of water between sessions.
Nicotine Level Or Withdrawal
Nicotine is an optional ingredient in e-liquids, as some will contain no nicotine whilst others will replace it with another active agent like CBD.
If you are trying to quit smoking and have switched to vaping, the juice you use might be the cause of your sore or burning throat.
In this case, using vape juice with zero or low nicotine concentration may cause a burning throat because of nicotine withdrawal.
To avoid having a vape burning throat, try using an e-liquid with a higher nicotine concentration and then gradually reduce that concentration over time.
On the other hand if you are not used to nicotine then using a vape juice with a high concentration of nicotine will actually cause coughing, irritation, and a burning throat.
If you’re a stranger to nicotine we would urge you to try using an e-liquid with no nicotine additive to avoid this burning sensation.
Dry Hit
Using your device when there is no juice in the tank will result in a dry-hit, an abrasive and overly hot drag that will likely cause you to have a burning throat.
Always ensure that there is enough e-liquid in your tank and that the coil is well primed to avoid burning-out.
Many devices will have either entirely clear tanks or small viewing windows, making it easy for you to check your levels before you drag.
Chain Vaping
Taking too many puffs in a row while vaping can cause the wick to dry up quickly. This, alongside general overstimulation, may cause you to have a burning throat.
Vaping is distinctly different from smoking, so take it slow when you notice that you have a burning sensation. Doing this gives enough time for the wick to get saturated with juice between the puffs.
Priming your coils well before you start vaping will also help.
Volatile Organic Compounds & Diacetyl
Some vape juices can contain diacetyl or other volatile organic compounds known to cause sore throat or irritation.
Diacetyl itself is illegal to use in e-liquids in the UK. If you think it may be one of these additives causing your sore throat, try changing the brand or flavour of your e-liquid to avoid the burning sensation.
Always be sure to buy your e-liquids from a reputable manufacturer to make sure your experience is as good and as safe as possible.
Burned Coils
Coils burn out due of several reasons, some of which are sadly unavoidable.
When they burn you should not continue using them. Replace a burnt out coil immediately for the best results.
Your coil’s lifespan will depend on your vaping frequency and the wattage you vape at. If you notice that your juice has lost flavour or cannot produce vapour as it used to, it may be time to replace the coil.
To get the best performance out of your coil, always prime it properly before using it and make sure you are using the right coil for your vaping device.
These are some of the causes of a burning sensation when you vape.
The good news is that you do not have to completely sacrifice that satisfying smooth feeling at the back of your throat, trade in your clouds, or stop using your favourite vape juice flavour to avoid having a burning throat.
Know how to strike a balance and learn how your device works to prevent the majority of burning throats.
Summary
Having a burning throat, sore throat, or any kind of throat irritation while vaping can be a nasty experience.
Though this burning can be caused by a wide range of difference issues, they aren’t a necessary evil.
In many cases it is entirely possible to prevent burning throat so that you can have a smoother and more enjoyable vaping experience.
Know the right wattage to vape at, the right e-liquid to vape and the right device to use in order to ensure that you get the most from your vaping experience.
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